Keen to Eliminate Unsightly Green? 5 Steps to a Healthy Pond

"Why is it that 'breaking the ice' is the term used for when you've moved

past an awkward stage with someone and are now more comfortable?

I don't know about you,

but if I was standing on a frozen pond and the ice was broken,

relaxing would be the least likely thing to happen."

- Jack Handey

For many of you, any outdoor water that you might have access to is frozen right now. For others of you to whom this does not apply, let it be known that many, many others out there are jealous. One thing that many of us have in common, however, whether we will have to wait this season out in order to enjoy it or we're currently enjoying it, is that an outdoor pond is a thing of beauty. Another thing that we may agree on is that an outdoor pond that is green with algae is not a thing of beauty. How do we avoid spending all of our quality outdoor time in the sun slaving over the very feature we're supposed to be enjoying? These five simple tips are just what you need to ensure your pond thrives with just the right amount of life!

Ecologically Balance your Pond: Does this sound complicated? Well, it's not. To do this, just ensure that your pond contains oxegenating submerged plants, one bunch per square foot of pond surface. Remember that even though fish provide lovely colour and an exciting element to your pond, you can overstock it--a prime culprit of algae growth. A good rule of thumb is to put in no more than one linear foot of fish per twenty-five square feet of pond surface area. Fish and plants provide ecological balance in that the fish waste and CO2, a natural fish byproduct, fertilize the plants, the fertilizer ensures the plants grow, and the fish eat the plants. if using this plant quantity recommendation, the plants will always grow faster than the fish can eat them and balance will be maintained in your miniature ecosystem!

Floating Plants: Now that we've discussed the submergible plants, it's time to consider the floating ones. At least half of the top of your pond should be covered with floating plants as they limit the sunlight's penetration, discouraging the algae promotion that sunlight can be so good at. Consider water lettuce, water liles, water hyacinths, or parrot's feather as beautiful pond "garnishes." These can be stored indoors for next year's use if your winter is too harsh for their outdoor preservation.

Monitor the pH: Algae flourishes with the pH becomes basic. To ensure the algae growth in your pond is manageable, it is recommended that you test the pH weekly, or any time fish are acting strangely or dying. If your pond's ecosystem is still getting established because it's newer, consider testing more frequently. Use a trusted product such as our Earth Smart Algae Eliminator (ESAE) to ensure your pond is balanced.

Change your Water: Remember, we said that we don't want you to be a slave to your pond! Don't change out your entire supply of water at one time; save yourself the backbreak as the ecosystem you're fostering in your pond only needs a little refresher once a week and changing it all will destroy all of the hard work you've done and upset the balance you've created. Weekly changing 25% of your water is recommended.

Drumroll please...our final, perhaps most important, and definitely the easiest tip...Read your Products' Ingredient Lists: Never, never, never use a product with "cide" in the ingredients list. These are unnatural chemicals that will kill crucial elements in your ponds.

Have fun with your pond, and don't be a slave to it!

To those of you whose ponds are a touch frosty right now, don't go breaking any ice!